Federation of Metal Detector and Archaeological Clubs Inc. (FMDAC)

FMDAC Website

FMDAC Facebook Page

The Federation of Metal Detector and Archaeological Clubs Inc. (FMDAC) was organized in 1984 as a legislative and educational organization and incorporated, as a non-profit, non-commercial, non-partisan organization.

The FMDAC's Mission: The FMDAC is dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and protection for the hobby of recreational metal detecting and prospecting.

The FMDAC's Purpose:
To unite, promote and encourage the establishment of metal detecting clubs.
To preserve the sport / hobby of recreational metal detecting and prospecting.
To make available to FMDAC clubs and Independent members information pertaining to the hobby and to keep members informed as to active legislation.

The FMDAC's Goal is to Educate and inform the public as to the merits of recreational metal detecting.

April 28, 2017 New FMDAC News Release
Hello FMDAC members
It’s been awhile since I have put out a message. Life has been busy.

Good news is that it has been a while since we have seen anything in the legislative department. Maybe it was the election cycle that has kept everyone’s attention off of us. However as I always say. There may be things happening that we do not know about so do not hesitate to contact us if you hear of something.

That silence was broken early on this year as there are two ongoing situations right now in which detecting has been banned. I will not divulge the locations right now as they are being worked on a local level. The first one involves the changing of a decades old ban that has not been enforced. A new parks department administrator took over and decided to enforce it. The local club has met with him and they are working on it. It appears to be on a good path at this point.

In the second a ban was suddenly put into place with zero public knowledge or input. The city attorney wrote it on his own and presented it to the city council who immediately voted unanimous approval. No discussion, no representation from those it effects and no public notice. This ban affects ALL city property including curb strips. It is in the fact finding stage at this point. The local community has been instructed to contact the council to get a lot of questions answered. Read Full Released

Attention everyone......March 15, 2017

Just found out about this bill in the NH legislature. It has already passed the House and is in the Senate. It apparently passed the house by a voice vote. The full text of the bill is below. Really simple as it says dredging is banned. I know this is not metal detecting proper but we are all in this together. Many people are involved in both hobbies. So lets act quickly to try to put the brakes on this one.

Also there are 2 cities that have recently banned detecting. We are working with them on a local level right now.

Here s a link to the NH senate committee where the bill is at right now. Web link

Here is the senate contact page. Web Link

New Hampshire House Bill 591  Sponsors: Web Link

If you live in NH then please contact your senator. If you do not then please contact the committee and any senators and let them know about your vacation plans.

Mark Schuessler, FMDAC National President


August 14, 2016 FMDAC Press Release
To all FMDAC members and follow hobbyists - please forward

Please take some time and check out this link. Then comment on it. Read it over carefully and make some well thought comments.

This appears to be a major step in the right direction for all. It remains to be seen what will come of it but if they are genuine then it could mean a big step in mutual co-operation. It appears that the academic world may be realizing that we are not going away and the only way they will enlist our aid is by showing some respect in our direction.

Take the time to comment, even if only to say you like the direction it is taking and thankyou. Lets show them that we are here, we are watching and are willing to take an active roll.
SAA Task Force on Professional Archaeologists, Avocational Archaeologists, & Artifact Collectors Web Link

Mark Schuessler
FMDAC President

March 23, 2016 Update on Florida SB 1054: Historic and Archaeological Artifacts
GENERAL BILL by Dean ; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Grimsley

Historic and Archaeological Artifacts; Directing the Division of Historical Resources of the Department of State to implement a program to administer the discovery of certain historic and archaeological artifacts; providing program requirements, etc.

Effective Date: 7/1/2016
Last Action: 3/11/2016 Senate - Died in Governmental Oversight and Accountabilitya Bill SB1054: See Bill Detail below.

January 24, 2016 Here is a Bill (HR803) that is trying to re-establish isolated finds regulation in Florida. This is a positive bill involving a number of like interesting past-times. This bill will allow Florida residents to once again recover and save artifacts from the underwater areas of Florida's waterways. There is a permit involved and a fee of $100. It has gained traction so lets all get involved and push it over the top.
Mark Schuessler, President - Federation of Metal Detector and Archaeological Clubs, Inc. www.FMDAC.org

September 07, 2015 FMDAC Presidents Message Read Here
March 05, 2015 FMDAC Presidents Message 1st Qtr Select Here
November 13, 2014 FMDAC Presidents Message Fall 2014 Select Here
May 09, 2014 - Presidents Report on Facebook or View This PDF File
May 09, 2014 - FMDAC's Response to the Massachusetts Metal Detecting Issue Fackbook or View This PDF File
December 27, 2013 - Presidents Report on Facebook
August 24, 2013 - 2013 2nd Qtr President's Report

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World Wide Association of Treasure Seekers

(WWATS Website) - Keith Wills

04-25-15 The "State" of Our Hobby
By: Keith Wills
The excitement and adventure of treasure hunting for gold nuggets, old lost coins, lost jewelry, and items from our past is in everyone's blood, for we all seek what we do not have. For me, I started metal detecting as a kid to build my first coin collection, it was much more intriguing to search for lost treasures beneath my feet than simply buy a coin collection, which I could not afford at the time.

For over 43 years now my father and I have enjoyed metal detecting together with great success. I will always have our memories we shared of putting on those headphones and the rest of the world disappearing for us. The sweet competition we shared in seeing at the end of the day which of us had found the nicest piece of jewelry or the most coins. We always look forward to that next treasure hunt adventure. However, as time goes on, many outside forces interrupt our long time-shared fun together, even when we fight to hold on to the right to continue to enjoy it.

Today the average metal detector user finds him or her surrounded by new laws enforced to restrict our freedom to enjoy a recreational pastime. However, it may not be too far in the future we see even our own property and our right to do with that property as we wish, taken from us as well. Everyday new laws are going into effect; new Bills are being pasted by our elected officials that most of us are unaware of. To be honest with you, our government has lost the direction of "for the people" yet now enact more laws "against the people". Special interest groups and our government are pushing Bills to restrict American rights; even in our hobbies we enjoy every day. Read More 

Join WATTS Application

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Task Force Members:
Website Appears to be Gone???

Task Force for Metal Detecting Rights Foundation Website

Task Force for Metal Detecting Rights Facebook Page

Over the past several months we have been in talks with much of the metal detecting community. Our talks have been with everyone from executives in the metal detecting business to the casual weekend treasure hunter. We have found there is a common concern about "policymakers" overreaching their authority and arbitrarily closing public lands to the lawful hobby of recreational metal detecting.

While our previous call campaigns have been successful in some areas, we realize the need to take this to the next level. The Task Force has decided to support legal efforts in three battleground locations. We are retaining lawyers in Illinois, Kentucky and New York.

In conjunction with addressing these problems by utilizing local lawyers, we will also need your support by having you email/call voicing your concerns. We will email you contact information at the appropriate time.

Now that things are in motion, we will be updating you (Task Force members) on a much more frequent basis.

Thank you all for your continued support of this great hobby.

January 14, 2015 Press Release
Task Force for Metal Detecting Rights Foundation Great News!
Because of the efforts of Task Force members in voicing their concerns over the proposed ban on metal detecting in Mason City, Iowa, a permit system has now been put into place.

The permit will allow metal detecting in certain parks, and each person who detects must take out a permit in order to utilize the parks. The permit states the rules, and the person doing the metal detecting must agree to follow them.

The Task Force has reviewed the permit, and feels the rules are fair and reasonable. As soon as a link to the permit becomes available, it will be posted to our website at www.detectingrights.com.

December 27, 2015 Task Force for Metal Detecting Press Release
You may have heard the sad news that Dick Stout, long time detectorist, author and founder of the FMDAC (Federation of Metal Detector and Archeological Clubs) suffered the tragic loss of his home to a tornado last night.

Thankfully Dick, his wife Fay, and their dogs are okay and currently staying with family.

Let us in the detecting community, show our support to Dick in this time of crisis by donating what we can to help him out in his time of need. Read More

October 22, 2015 Complete Press Release
Good news! Because of the overwhelming support of the detecting community in contacting the Mason City, Iowa parks department about the proposed ban on metal detecting, progress had been made.

Flood buyout lands are restricted, and they are working on rules for a yearly metal detecting permit.

That is all that can be confirmed at this time. More information will be posted as it becomes available.

The following excerpt is from the minutes of the Mason City Parks & Recreation meeting held on October 13th, 2015:

“New Business Metal Detectors – discussion – Flood buyouts are restricted due to Grant Agreements. Board unanimously agreed to have Mr. Easley & Mr. Binnebose work with Bill S. & Bob B. to write up a yearly Permit (rules) that anyone doing metal detecting on City Property will have to apply for. That will give the City acknowledgement of who will be doing so.”

October 14, 2015 Urgent Call to Action Press Release
There is a situation in Mason City, Iowa that needs immediate attention.
Mason City, Iowa wants to ban metal detecting from its city parks. The Parks Department will be meeting at 6pm on Tuesday, October 13, to discuss the banning of metal detecting from its parks, simply because someone asked for permission.

April 06, 2015
Call to Action April 6th-8th, 2015 Fellow Metal Detectorists, Call To Action….Starting Monday April 6, for 3 days. Read More

March 2014
Task Force Attends Meeting with the Architect of the Portable Antiquities Scheme
Read More

April 08, 2013
The Task Force has been working with metal detecting club leaders to identify problem areas and we have begun to provide support for legal efforts, You can read about this on our website

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